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Remote Accounting Jobs – Work From Home

... or a seasoned CPA in search of full-time, part-time, freelance, or work from anywhere jobs, online accounting jobs offer diverse options. In a virtual accounting job, you'll review financial records, identify risks and opportunities, and offer solutions. Work from home accounting jobs require attention to detail, software proficiency, and adept problem-solving. Check out the latest remote accounting jobs and companies hiring!"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}">Discover the flexibility of remote accounting jobs! Whether you're an entry-level bookkeeper or a seasoned CPA in search of full-time, part-time, freelance, or work from anywhere jobs, online accounting jobs offer diverse options. In a virtual accounting job, you'll review financial records, identify risks and opportunities, and offer solutions. Work from home accounting jobs require attention to detail, software proficiency, and adept problem-solving. Check out the latest remote accounting jobs and companies hiring!  

Discover the flexibility of remote accounting jobs! Whether you’re an entry-level bookkeeper or a seasoned CPA in search of full-time, part-time, freelance, or work from anywhere jobs, online accounting jobs offer diverse options. In a virtual accounting job, you’ll review financial records, identify risks and opportunities, and offer solutions. Work from home accounting jobs require attention to detail, software proficiency, and adept problem-solving. Check out the latest remote accounting jobs and companies hiring!

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The 10 Best Jobs for an Online Finance Degree

Do you love number-crunching? Enjoy watching the financial markets experience their inevitable dips and climbs? Like the idea of helping people make the most of their money?

If you answered “yes” to the above questions, an online finance degree might be perfect for you. Financial careers are as lucrative as they ever were, but many potential students worry they don’t have the time or the money to earn a degree that will enable professional growth in finance.

Never fear, the solution is simple. Online degrees allow you to make the most of your time and money, all while continuing to work and care for your family. Plus, there are other online education benefits as well, not to mention the range of lucrative careers you could pursue once you’ve earned your degree.

Let’s examine why you should consider an online finance degree, including 10 of the best jobs you can get, skills you can develop to enhance your career prospects, and how to get started today.

Why an Online Finance Degree?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts financial sector growth, with the employment outlook for careers such as financial analyst and securities, commodities, and financial service sales agents growing faster than the average for all occupations. There’s never been a better time to start your finance career. 

The good news is that online finance degrees are super flexible. You can go at your own pace, taking as many or as few classes as you can handle each term. If you’re ready to get started with a new career but don’t want to have to come to campus, it's an ideal option.

Not only can financial literacy and a firm grasp of accounting principles help you in your own life, but it can open the doors to a great career like the ones below.

10 Jobs You Can Land with an Online Finance Degree

So, you took all those finance, accounting, and economics courses … now what? Luckily, there are plenty of career opportunities in finance. Here are 10 of the best to consider today.

1. Financial Analyst

A financial analyst—which you may also see referred to as a chartered financial analyst (CFA)—works for insurance companies, pension funds, or banks. They assess current market dynamics and use that information to guide their companies toward smarter financial decisions.

As part of their job, they keep careful track of the company’s financial data and use it to inform leadership through reports, budgets, and financial models. Successful financial analysts help keep companies viable and growing. The median pay for financial analysts is about $96,000 a year and the job is growing at a rate of 8 percent, which is faster than average.

2. Personal Financial Advisor

Anyone who likes the idea of working with the public, assisting with portfolio management, and providing financial consulting and asset management will love working as a personal financial advisor. You can provide such services by becoming a certified financial planner (CFP) or work in another capacity, such as a tax preparer or accountant.

Financial advisors, also known as financial planners, can work for accounting firms, large financial services companies, or themselves. Personal financial advisors specifically work with wealthy individuals to help them manage their portfolios, make sound investments, and plan for retirement. They make a median annual salary of about $95,000 and the job growth is much faster than average at about 13 percent.

3. Budget Analyst

Budget analysts help public and private organizations create budgets and make smart financial decisions. As the name implies, the main job of a budget analyst is to ascertain the health of a company’s budget and recommend adjustments where necessary.

Budget analysts can work at institutions of higher learning, for private businesses, or in government offices. The median salary for a budget analyst is about $82,000 a year and the job is growing at a rate of 3 percent, or about as fast as average.

4. Risk Management Specialist

A risk management specialist, whose title might also be financial risk specialist, financial risk manager (FRM), or a similar variation, is responsible for assessing the risk of a given financial decision. They analyze market trends, consider fintech developments, monitor financial regulations, and adhere to securities trading policies to keep companies out of trouble.

As a risk management specialist, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the health of the company for which you work—as well as to keep the market stable, which can have significant ripple effects across your nation and the world. It’s an essential finance role and pays a median of $116,000 annually.

5. Financial Examiner

Financial examiners are responsible for ensuring that consumers are treated fairly and that lending institutions (banks, credit unions, etc.) adhere to financial regulations governing their behavior.

The role of financial examiner is in high demand at the moment. Jobs are growing at a rate of 20 percent, which is much faster than average, and they make about $82,000 per year.

6. Investment Banker

An investment banker is responsible for helping the institution for which they work—from governments to corporations—generate income and manage their finances. Their duties may include floating bonds, negotiating acquisitions, issuing stock, coordinating the sale of the company, and more.

Investment bankers make a mean annual wage of around $109,000, with the possibility of climbing significantly higher the longer you’re in the field and the higher you rise through the ranks.

7. Financial Manager or CFO

CFOs (chief financial officers) or financial managers are responsible for overseeing the financial health of entire institutions. They may work for universities, nonprofits, private businesses, or public companies.

CFOs and financial managers make a very nice living, pulling in a median $140,000 per year. The industry is growing at a rate of 16 percent, which is much faster than average.

8. Forensic Accountant

Forensic accounting is a career dedicated to unearthing the truth about what institutions are doing with their money. Forensic accountants review books, balance sheets, and audits to determine if an organization is engaged in any wrongdoing.

Forensic accountants, like other accountants and auditors, make a median salary of $78,000 a year, and the field is growing about as fast as average at a rate of 4 percent.

9. Real Estate Appraiser

If you’re looking for a position that keeps you on top of job market trends, allows you to perform ongoing equity research, and gets you out of the cubicle, then real estate appraiser could be right for you. In this position, you’re responsible for providing estimates about the true value of homes and other property—not the often-baseless numbers one finds online.

Many people enjoy this job because it allows them to visit different parts of their city and serve a valuable role in the real estate market. Plus, property appraisers and assessors make a median of around $62,000 per year, which can increase considerably if you stay in the field for several decades.

10. Insurance Underwriter

An insurance underwriter’s job is to assess insurance applications and decide whether they meet the requirements for approval. To make their decisions, underwriters analyze the provided information, determine the risk involved, use dedicated risk assessment software, and choose the levels of coverage and premiums depending on their findings.

Insurance underwriters make a nice living at about $76,000 per year. However, the job market for underwriters is declining at a rate of about -2 percent, so if you want to be competitive in this field, make sure your grades and professional development efforts are top-notch.

Skills to Enhance Career Prospects in Finance

Taking online courses and earning a degree is one of the best ways to enhance your skill set and increase the profitability and enjoyability of your career. Even once you have earned a degree, it’s smart to stay current in your field with professional development and certifications.

Whether you’re already in finance or considering a career change, the following skills can increase your chances of landing a dream job or getting that raise:

• Data analytics
• Communication
• Risk management
• Problem-solving
• Time management

It’s always good to brush up on these skills by taking courses and certifications throughout your career. Continuous education will keep you fresh and employable for the duration of your career—may it be long and gratifying!

Learn More, Today

Learn more about an online finance degree from the University of Minnesota. Our thoughtfully designed programs are geared toward lifelong learning, inclusivity, collaboration, and access for all. Contact us today!

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Financial Analysts
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Personal Financial Advisors
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Budget Analysts
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial Risk Specialists
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Financial Examiners
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, Financial and Investment Analysts
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Financial Managers
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Accountants and Auditors
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Property Appraisers and Assessors
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Insurance Underwriters
• Bachelor of Science in Finance
• UMN Online: Contact Us

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National consultant on Public Finance Management and Gender Responsive Budgeting

Advertised on behalf of.

CHISINAU, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application deadline :.

30-May-24 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Time left :, languages required :.

English  

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. 

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note 2023-2027 , aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027),   UN Women Global  Strategic Plan , National Programs and Strategies and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women; 2) Women’s Leadership and Governance; 3) Women’s Economic empowerment and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender equality.  

Based on the European Commission Implementing Decision on the Annual Action Plan in favour of the Republic of Moldova for 2022 NDICI-GEO-NEAR/2022/ACT-61535 EU4 Resilience and Governance , UN Women Moldova CO is implementing a four-year project (November 2023 – October 2027) under the name "Ending Violence, Expanding Livelihood Opportunities for Women and Accelerating Gender Governance in Moldova" (hereinafter EVOLVE4GE). The project is implemented in line with and in contribution to the Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) of European Commission " Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in External Action 2021–2025", adopted in November 2020, Country gender profile and its Country Level Implementation Plan – CLIP for the Republic of Moldova which aim to accelerate progress on empowering women and girls, and safeguard gains made on gender equality during the 25 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action . It will also support the Government to advance implementation of the gender equality commitments aligned with the EU candidacy status granted to the Republic of Moldova in June 2022.

The project builds on UN Women’s advocacy and past work in strengthening capacities for gender responsive governance, on the Country office best practices around women’s economic empowerment through business development and increased participation of women in sectors with high economic potential and high gender gap, as well as on lessons learned collected through the support provided to the Government in the development of integrated – survivor oriented – provision of assistance and establishment of specialist services for survivors of violence against women and girls.

The interventions will contribute directly to the implementation of the national priorities set the Government Programme on Gender Equality (2023-2027), The RoadMap for Economic Empowerment of Women, the National Programme on Ending Violence against Women (2023-2027), as well as to the gender responsive provisions of the  Public Finance Management Strategy (2023-2030) and Public Administration (2023-2030).

The project, initiated in November 2023, and is funded from the European Union. Its overarching goal revolves around the following outcome: By 2027, women and girls actively contribute to and reap the rewards of enhanced gender-responsive policies, customized economic empowerment initiatives, and easily accessible quality essential services.

One of the anticipated results of the EVOLVE4GE project is the enhancement of the capacity of both Central and Local Government authorities to design and implement gender-responsive policies. To achieve this, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of central and local Gender Equality Mechanisms (GEMs); offer customized assistance to the Ministry of Finance and other central budget users to integrate gender considerations into public finance management; build the capacity of public oversight institutions to incorporate gender perspectives into oversight and audit practices; and by providing comprehensive support to Local Public Administration for piloting gender-responsive budgets.

In this framework, UN Women within EVOLVE4GE project seeks to contract a consultant (here and after “The Consultant”) to entail provision of multi-faceted, expertise to state institutions including but not limited to Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection  (MLSP), Ministry  of Regional development and infrastructure , Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation (MEDD) and other sectoral ministries to enable institutionalized introduction of GRB in Moldova, and recommendations from the Public Expenditure and Finance Accountability Assessment (PEFA) supplementary assessment on gender - and in line with the newly adopted Public Finance Management Strategy (PFM) for 2023-2030 and SDG indicator 5.c.1.

Duties and Responsibilities

More specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks, including but not limited to:

• Undertake thorough gender analyses of a minimum of two budgetary programs from at least two different ministries;
• Based on gender analyses devise a tailored set of modifications for each programme, encompassing indicators, objectives, outputs, and outcomes to instill gender responsiveness;
• Ensure that the modifications align with the unique needs and contexts of the target populations served by the programmes;
• Provide hands-on mentorship to ministry representatives, elucidating the principles and methodologies of gender-responsive budgeting;
• Formulate a comprehensive set of recommendations for enhancing an existing budget circular to incorporate gender-responsive elements;
• Ensure that the recommendations are practical, actionable, and aligned with best practices in gender mainstreaming;
• Facilitate the piloting of the revised budget circular within a designated ministry or department;
• Monitor the implementation process closely, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments to optimize effectiveness;
• Document lessons learned and best practices for dissemination and future replication;
• Develop a final report summarizing results (changes in capacities, key results achieved, lessons learned, and recommendations).

Deliverables

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. In case travel is required, it will be covered by UN Women separately.

As full payment for the services performed by the Consultants, UN Women will pay the Consultants in accordance with the deliverables provided.

Payments shall be made following certification by UN Women that the services related to each deliverable have been satisfactorily performed and the deliverables have been achieved by or before the due dates, if any. 

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Professionalism. 

Core Competencies: 

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:  

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values 

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
• Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree in public administration, social studies, development studies, gender studies and/or international relations, or any other degree relevant to the requirements of the TOR;
• A first-level university degree, combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in gender-responsive budgeting application either at the central or local level is required;
• At least 7 years undertaking gender analyses and developing reports is required;  
• At least 5 years experience in designing and delivering training and/or mentoring programmes on gender equality and gender mainstreaming in policy making and budgeting is required;
• At least 7 years experience in working on central government finance policies and processes – including medium-term budgeting program (MTBP), budgeting methodologies, and approaches are required;
• Previous experience working with international organizations is considered an asset;
• Fluency in Romanian and English (written and oral) is required;
• Knowledge of the Russian language is an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SUBMISSION PACKAGE  

Interested candidates are invited to submit their online applications with the following documents:

• Personal P11 (P11 can   be downloaded from):   https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc  ). Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment. 
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.  Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment.

Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

The United Nations in Moldova is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Best life insurance companies of 2024

While there is no such thing as the objective best life insurance policy, you will be able to find the best insurance policy for your specific needs. Here are our picks for the best life insurance companies, whether you want to use your life insurance policy to build wealth through cash value or you're just looking for a term life insurance policy .

Best life insurance for customer satisfaction

State farm life insurance.

State Farm Life Insurance gets the best life insurance ranking in J.D Power's Individual Life Insurance Study, with a score of 843/1,000. The company is also ranked A++ with AM Best for its financial stability with term, universal, and whole life insurance options. 

All State Farm policies have to be purchased through a State Farm agent. Your agent can help you bundle and save or buy one policy. State Farm is also among the companies offering "survivorship universal life insurance ," which means the policy covers two people, and it kicks in after the second person dies. Couples looking to maximize their death benefit for beneficiaries with one premium payment each month may enjoy lower overall costs.

State Farm agents can run quotes and compare options to find the right plans for each applicant. The range of options, discounts, and familiar name all contribute to the popularity of State Farm's life insurance.

Read our State Farm Life Insurance review here.

Best life insurance for older adults

Prudential vul protector life insurance.

Prudential Life Insurance is available in all states except New York. New York residents can buy the Pruco Life of New Jersey VUL Protector plan. This plan allows buyers to pull money out of their plan to pay for nursing home expenses. Cash value policy premiums are fixed, so you won't have to worry about extra costs later on. Internal costs are low, which minimizes risk. Due to age, many older adults want a safe investment option for their money. Prudential VUL Protector invests to avoid loss. That also means you're not as likely to see big increases in your available funds outside of what you deposit.

Read our Prudential Life Insurance review here.

Best life insurance for long-term care

Columbus life insurance.

Columbus Life offers a wide range of riders to customize your policy with affordable premiums. The company also allows you to convert term policies to whole life insurance policies until the end of your term (generally around age 70). For this and many other reasons, customer satisfaction is high.

When using living health benefits (otherwise known as accelerated death benefits), buyers are allowed to pull money from policies early to pay for medical bills, living costs, etc. under certain circumstances. Most companies use a discounted death benefit, which reduces your final payout using two models. Columbus uses the lien method, which makes it easier to calculate the financial impact of pulling money out early.

Best life insurance for high returns on income

Allianz life insurance.

Allianz Life plans are geared towards high-income adults looking for more tax-free income. Allianz offers a 40% multiplier bonus with a 1% annual assets charge. In short, the professionals managing your investments take 10%. Overall, your investments would pull in an extra 14%-1% asset charge. This means you end up with 3% more than what you deposit every year your life policy is active. This plan offers strong returns when using a life policy to supplement your retirement savings. Allianz also offers specialized plans to grow your income by as much as 20% according to some estimates.

Of note: Allianz also offers plans for foreign nationals, including those with H-1B visas.

Best life insurance for agents

New york life insurance.

New York Life Insurance agents go through extensive training before they ever hit the sales floor. What does this get you? Policies vary widely, and New York Life offers both large and small payouts. Some policies have significant penalties for early withdrawal, but taking a loan offers more options. Whatever your questions, New York Life agents are trained to offer comprehensive support giving you accurate information about its policies every time. The company comes in at position eight in J.D. Power's latest life insurance customer satisfaction study.

Read our New York Life Insurance review here.

Best life insurance for term life

North american life insurance.

North American Company offers term policies alongside accelerated death benefits for critical, chronic, and terminal illnesses and more. The company allows one conversion on a 20-year policy at 15 years or 70 years old (whichever is earlier). The conversion cannot happen later than the five-year marker regardless of which policy you choose or the length. North American Company also offers a term policy with a lower premium renewable up to the age of 95 for qualifying insureds.

Summary of the best life insurance companies

• Best for customer satisfaction:   State Farm Life Insurance
• Best for older adults:   Prudential Life Insurance
• Best for agent support:   New York Life Insurance
• Best for long-term care:   Columbus Life
• Best for high returns:   Allianz Life
• Best for term life:   North American Company

How to pick the best life insurance policy for you

Finding the right fit in life insurance starts with finding a trusted insurance agent. Because there are so many state regulations, shopping for homeowners or auto insurance can be easily done online. Life insurance is not required. So it's a voluntary purchase. Many buyers don't know what they need or when they need it. Before making your selection, consider a few things:

Some companies will sell you a policy for your child as soon as they're born. While this may seem morbid, early sign-up means lower rates for a policy your child could enjoy in the future. Regardless, early sign-up equates to more policy for lower premiums and a higher likelihood of acceptance. At 20, you may be healthier and be able to pay into the policy for a longer period compared to when you're 50 with more age-related conditions.

As a general rule, never agree to more than you can afford. For the average life insurance agent, their job is to sell you a large policy with a large commission. Consider not only how much you make now, but how likely your current income is to continue. If you work on a project basis and your project is scheduled to end in 12 months, you may want to reconsider a policy premium outside your monthly savings.

How much are you prepared to buy? Some people only want a small policy to cover funerals and other end-of-life expenses. Others build a life policy into their retirement plan. Whatever direction you're going, involving a financial planner could help you make the right decisions. Depending on the carrier, customers can also compare set limits with index universal life policies, which set no limit. These policies never expire, and the value builds over the entirety of your life.

Living Benefits

Life happens unexpectedly. You could be healthy one day and in the hospital the next. Many life policies offer living benefits. These allow you to draw a limited amount out of your policy to cover medical and other bills you cannot pay while sick.

Much like a 401(k), many life insurance policies have penalties for early withdrawal. No matter what policy you want, this question is critical to an informed decision. It's a question of how early you can withdraw and how much you'll lose from the total to have the money in 10 years instead of 30 or after death.

Some policies require insured parties to pay premiums for at least one year before any significant payout would be available. Suicide exclusions are common. Even with no medical exam policies, the company may still do a check for known conditions. An insurance company has to mitigate its risk.

Flexibility

Once you've been denied a life insurance policy, a mark goes on your record. No matter the reasons, other insurance companies may deny you coverage based on the first denial. So consider your whole situation and choose your policy carefully before you submit any applications. Some policies have greater flexibility if you lose your job or otherwise can't make payments. Others will lapse if you miss even one payment.

Payment Type

Even within whole life or term life insurance policies, customers have the option to choose guaranteed fixed or variable rates. Some have guaranteed payouts, but you'll need to ask your agent for details.

What is your intended use? Why are you shopping for a life insurance policy in the first place, and what are your goals? Many successful financial planners also have a background in life insurance. So while they may not be able to find you a specific life insurance policy, financial planners can help you set out a blueprint for your purchase.

Methodology: How we review life insurance companies

In life insurance, it's easy to get "sold a bill of goods." Many life insurance agents pass a state test to be thrown into the deep end. Agents sell the company product, but not all know the products. In this vein, we look at the products each company offers. We also look at agent training.

A good life insurance agent may not volunteer all facts upfront. But a company's agents should answer questions about its products accurately and in a way the average consumer can digest. Agents should be able to inform you about the long-term benefits and limitations. This will help customers find the right policy for their long-term plan.

We consider affordability, policy sizes available, and performance for a comprehensive assessment in our insurance rating methodology . If you can, we recommend also working with a financial advisor to make a plan for your future with life insurance.

Our Expert Panel for The Best Life Insurance Companies

To inform our choices for the best life insurance companies, we spoke with the following experts:

• Paul LaPiana , head of product at MassMutual
• Barbara Pietrangelo , CFP, CLU, and chair of the nonprofit Life Happens
• Wykeeta Peel , Corporate Vice President and Market Manager, African American Market Unit at New York Life

The Experts' Advice on Choosing The Best Life Insurance for You

How much life insurance coverage do you believe the average buyer should have.

Paul LaPiana, Head of Product at MassMutual

"There are different approaches to determining how much life insurance you need. One is the 'human life' approach, which estimates the current value of your future earning potential. Another is securing specific coverage to pay off debts such as a mortgage or provide for the education of children. A comprehensive protection plan should provide the right amount of coverage over the course of your working life and into retirement."

Barbara A. Pietrangelo, Chair of Life Happens

"There is no one-size-fits-all life insurance policy because everyone is different. One way to get a rough estimate is to multiply your income by 10 to 15; another is adding $100,00 to that amount, should you have a child and anticipate college education expenses.

Your best bet is to talk to a financial professional or use the Life Insurance Needs Calculator on LifeHappens.org to analyze what's right for you."

Wykeeta Peel, Corporate Vice President & Market Manager African American Market Unit at New York Life

"As you consider what policy best meets your needs, it can help to answer four key questions: First, how much death benefit do you need? Second, how long will you need that coverage? Third, what is your budget (or how much monthly premium can you afford to pay?), and finally, what is your investment risk tolerance?

To determine how much death benefit makes sense, it's helpful to think beyond using life insurance to cover funeral expenses and consider whether anyone is relying on the policy owner's income to maintain a lifestyle, pay rent or a mortgage, or fund a child's education and for how long.

There are various rules of thumb regarding the right amount of Life insurance coverage. Some tips can be found online, but they only provide an estimate and don't necessarily factor in an individual's specific needs. In my opinion, human guidance, powered by technology, is required. Basically, it comes down to how much money your loved ones would need to remain on firm financial ground if your earnings were no longer in the picture and that is different for everyone."

What is the biggest opportunity you see for improvement in the life insurance industry?

"Increased accessibility through digital and other channels as well as through underwriting enhancements. Increased tailoring of products and features. And an increased emphasis on health and wellness programs."

"Having enough qualified insurance professionals to walk potential buyers through the multiple benefits of life insurance will be pivotal to the growth of the industry. Education is a key factor here, as professional agents also need to be able to explain life insurance and its benefits in an easy, digestible way, especially when there are so many misconceptions about life insurance."

"The need for life insurance is greater than ever. In fact, a recent New York Life Wealth Watch survey found that 37% of adults have been thinking about life insurance more often these days – and half of adults report that financial products that provide protection (50%) and reliability (50%) are more important now compared to last year. This may be especially true for middle-market and Cultural Market families.

Our organizational structure of having Cultural Market agents embedded in the communities where we live and work allows us to understand the needs of diverse communities and develop solutions that resonate with them."

What advice would you give to buyers who are debating whether or not to buy life insurance?

"It is difficult to say with any certainty how healthy you will be years from now. That's why securing life insurance, and insuring your insurability, today, when you are the youngest you'll ever be again, and perhaps your healthiest is a wise decision."

"Do you love someone? If the answer is yes, then life insurance is certainly something you should consider. Many buy gifts and experiences to express their love, but haven't considered that life insurance is just another way to say I love you. Nothing says support like ensuring your family's financial security and peace of mind."

"If you have someone depending on your income, you should consider purchasing life insurance. A death benefit from a life insurance policy can replace income from the loss of a breadwinner, ensure a family can stay in their home, fund educational or retirement expenses, address debt and so much more.

A life insurance policy can also help you grow your family's wealth over time. Once the risk of an unexpected loss has been managed, you can begin to think more broadly about your family's financial future. Life insurance can enable your mindset to shift from death to growth."

What's the most important thing buyers should look for when choosing a life insurance agent/company to buy from?

"With life insurance, you are securing a future commitment that may be decades away. Research the company behind the policy to ensure it has high financial strength ratings, longevity, and an excellent track record of paying claims."

"When looking for an insurance agent or company, be sure to do your research. When comparing companies, be sure to remember that the policy features that fit you and your loved ones best is the most important factor. Don't automatically assume you should buy from the higher-rated company.

If the policy from the other company has more of what you're looking for, it might be the better choice. If you're unsure where to start, try the Life Happens Agent Locator to find an insurance professional in your area."

• "The insurers' track record: At its core, life insurance is protection - a hedge against the unexpected - and you are paying premiums in exchange for the promise that the insurer will be there when you need them, so the financial strength and track record of the company backing your policy is critical.
• Customer service: Are service professionals available by phone and digital channels? Is there is an online dashboard where you can manage your policy? Beyond ensuring assistance is available after you purchase a policy, it's also critical to ensure you have access to trusted advice and guidance before you buy.
• Flexibility in conversion: How easy is it to change? Life can be unpredictable and while term insurance can cover your loved ones through a critical period of time, you may decide that access to cash value is an important piece of your strategy.
• Accelerated online applications : Online applications are convenient but don't replace human guidance. Keep in mind that accelerated online applications may have a maximum coverage amount, meaning that you may not be able to get all the coverage you may need exclusively through an online process.
• A range of payment options: It's important to understand how often you're required to make premium payments and whether and how often you can change the frequency of payments."

Best life insurance FAQs

According to JD Power's 2023 life insurance study, State Farm is the highest-rated life insurance company when it comes to overall customer satisfaction. However, you still may want to shop around for quotes from various insurers if you're looking to purchase a new policy.

There isn't one best life insurance company, because the best option for you will depend on the type of policy you're looking for. It's best to work with a qualified insurance agent to help you find the best coverage. If you're deciding between multiple similar options, it's also worth consulting J.D. Power's life insurance customer satisfaction study . The latest study ranks State Farm as the top pick for individual life insurance, outpacing Nationwide by three points.

The best type of life insurance policy for you will differ from someone else's, as your policy should be tailored to your needs. The best policy for you will be affordable and will offer the benefits best suited to your situation. For example, some policies are only meant to cover end-of-life expenses such as burial and funeral arrangements, whereas others include living benefits like a cash value insurance plan , which you can borrow against during your lifetime.

Some life insurance policies are advertised as "no medical exam." This doesn't mean the insurer won't ask you about known conditions or look at medical records. Policies with no medical exam also tend to offer lower benefits with higher premiums. Most companies have a network of medical examiners, some of whom can come to your home. You can find our guide on the best no exam life insurance here.

Each situation is different and requires a knowledgeable life insurance agent to assess your best options. Bring all your questions and the coverage you're looking for to an insurance agent near you to explore your options.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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• Main content

Thousands of North Koreans stole Americans’ identities and took remote-work tech jobs at Fortune 500 companies, DOJ says

The Justice Department on Thursday announced the arrests of three people in a complex stolen identity scheme that officials say generates enormous proceeds for the North Korean government, including for its weapons program.

The scheme involves thousands of North Korean information technology workers who prosecutors say are dispatched by the government to live abroad and who rely on the stolen identities of Americans to obtain remote employment at U.S.-based Fortune 500 companies, jobs that give them access to sensitive corporate data and lucrative paychecks.

The fraud is a way for heavily sanctioned North Korea, which is cut off from the U.S. financial system, to take advantage of a “toxic brew” of converging factors, including high-tech labor shortage in the U.S. and the proliferation of remote telework, Marshall Miller, the Justice Department’s principal associate deputy attorney general, said in an interview.

The Justice Department says the cases are part of a broader strategy to not only prosecute individuals who enable the fraud but also to build partnerships with other countries and to warn private-sector companies of the need to be vigilant about the people they’re hiring. FBI and Justice Department officials launched an initiative in March and last year announced the seizure of website domains used by North Korean IT workers.

“More and more often, compliance programs at American companies and organizations are on the front lines of protecting our national security,” “Corporate compliance and national security are now intertwined like never before.”

The Justice Department says the conspiracy has affected more than 300 companies — including a high-end retail chain and “premier Silicon Valley technology company” — and generated more than $6.8 million in revenue for the workers, who are based outside of the U.S., including in China and Russia.

The three people arrested include an Arizona woman, Christina Marie Chapman, who prosecutors say facilitated the scheme by helping the workers obtain and validate stolen identities, receiving laptops from U.S. companies who thought they were sending the devices to legitimate employees and helping the workers connect remotely to the company.

According to the indictment, Chapman ran more than one “laptop farm” where U.S. companies sent computers and paychecks to IT workers they did not realize were overseas.

At Chapman’s laptop farms, she allegedly connected overseas IT workers who logged in remotely to company networks so it appeared the logins were coming from the United States. She also is alleged to have received paychecks for the overseas IT workers at her home, forging the beneficiaries’ signatures for transfer abroad and enriching herself by charging monthly fees.

The other two defendants include a Ukrainian man, Oleksandr Didenko, who prosecutors say created fake accounts at job search platforms and was arrested in Poland last week, and a Vietnamese national, Minh Phuong Vong, who was arrested Thursday in Maryland on charges of fraudulently obtaining a job at a U.S. company that was actually performed by remote workers who posed as him and were based overseas.

It was not immediately clear if any of the three had lawyers.

Separately, the State Department said it was offering a reward for information about certain North Korean IT workers who officials say were assisted by Chapman.

And the FBI, which conducted the investigations, issued a public service announcement that warned companies about the scheme, encouraging them to implement identity verification standards through the hiring process and to educate human resources staff and hiring managers about the threat.

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